Selling-off garage blocks would leave people without a space to park their cars, residents of flats have warned Bristol City Council.

Bristol City Council wants to sell the six blocks to housing associations to make way for affordable homes, as it tries to raise money to improve its housing stock.

But people living in Pensford Court, a block of flats in Sturminster Road, Stockwood, are angry about losing their garages – of which 33 out of 41 are let.

The rents paid for garages are £7.45 a week for council tenants and £11.21 for private tenants and homeowners.

"We had a meeting and everyone here is angry about this," said tenant Clive Powell, 61.

"I'm retired now, looking after my disabled wife, June. Most people here are elderly and many are in the same boat as I am.

"They need to be able to use these garages. There wouldn't be enough room for everyone who needs it to have a disabled parking space outside my home."

Local councillor David Morris said: "The roads round here are narrow enough as it is. Off-road parking is vital. If they build more properties here, the situation is going to get horrendous.

"I could understand it if these garages were not used – but they are."

The council is reviewing more than 300 garage sites across Bristol – some used by council tenants, some privately rented.

Not all will be sold – some will be improved or found alternative uses – and the council claims those to be sold off are either under-used or havens for anti-social behaviour.

"Our garage strategy will provide a much-needed capital boost to the housing revenue account to help fund improvements to existing housing stock," it said.

"It will also reduce waiting lists by providing land for social housing and helping to reduce overall maintenance costs."

Other garage blocks to be sold in Stockwood are in Whittock Square, Westbrook Road, Newnham Close, Craydon Road and Dutton Close.

A city council spokesman said: "The main aim of the project is to look at each site with a view to either selling it, investing in it to bring garages up to a good standard, or investigating the site for alternative use.

"Some people will lose their parking. But considerations such as displaced parking form a part of the planning process and these will have to be addressed before any developments can go ahead."

In other words, the issue of whether the area needs more parking will be looked at when the housing association applies for planning permission.

Maps showing the sites are on display in St Anne's House, St Anne's Road, and people have until January 22 to comment.

At the Pensford Court Garage site, it is believed there is potential for up to five homes.

The council says there are 13 garages at Whittock Square, only four of which are let, and that up to three homes could be built there.

At Westbrook Road seven of the 13 garages are let. Again, up to three homes could replace them. Six out of 12 garages in Newnham Close are let, with potential for up to three homes.

Craydon Road has 27 garages, of which four are let, and up to 10 homes could be built there. Dutton Close has 12 garages, of which nine are let. Up to five homes could be built there.

"The final decision about whether or not housing development goes ahead has yet to be made. We have written to the garage tenants and to local residents whose properties border on to the sites," said Bristol City Council.